Admittedly, it's Brimming with Gibberish, Over-the-Top Hospitality and Self-Help Jargon. But I Do Cherish Meghan's Festive Episode.
No concerned with the time of year, it's constantly fair game for criticism on the Meghan Markle's TV show, With Love, Meghan. Reviewers, expert and amateur alike, have rarely been so united as when eagerly tearing the program's initial installments to shreds. The common opinion was that a greater royal outrage had seldom occurred than the notorious snack re-labeling incident.
Now, like a merry renegade master, she makes a comeback with a new offering with a "Christmas Special" (also known as a Christmas special). However on this occasion, it's different. The usual elements viewers are accustomed to – vague self-help platitudes, intense hospitality – are still present, but framed of a holiday show, it all clicks into place. The puzzle has come perfectly; it's a perfect snow storm.
At this stage, Meghan has become the eccentric aunt at most festive family gatherings – offering unasked-for guidance, and supplying the odd random outburst. ("I love spinach!" … "A tradition has to have a beginning." … "A tree is part of my memory and love of the holiday season.") She's an interesting figure, but her presence is familiar and oddly reassuring. And she appears happy enough; she's causing any harm.
She is aware her each tiny facial movement, word and glance will be picked apart and criticised, but manages to seem relaxed and serenely untroubled.
Perhaps this is the only time in history where that old chestnut – "Don't listen, it's pure jealousy" – may well be true. The reason is, let's face it, each element in Meghan's Holiday Celebration honestly feels charming. Granted, it's all painfully excessive, nonsense and over the top – but isn't that just what Yuletide is all about? And the talk she's talking might be laughable, but the walk she's walking appears to be beautifully curated.
Whatever she attempts, she pulls off with flair. Her recipes looks delicious, the festive decoration she creates is breathtaking, her gifts are nearly too beautiful to open. Nothing is mediocre or ugly – even the way she secures her apron is creative and fashionable. She doesn't bung a meal in the microwave, it "has a moment", and she folds wrapping paper like an origami guru. She also seems to be thoroughly enjoying herself the entire time. How could any hate-watcher not be convinced, overcome by festive joy and left with a powerful yearning for personalized Christmas crackers or a vegetable display where greens is organized in the likeness of a wreath?
Meghan was once an actress for a living, naturally, but even so, after the degree of scrutiny she has faced since she started dating Prince Harry, the love child of two legendary actresses would have difficulty behaving this genuinely. Her refusal to alter or even tone down her routine, regardless of it being so constantly, globally mocked, is weirdly comforting. In our uncertain world, here is one thing we can rely on: Meghan will be like this, come what may. We will forever know where we are with her.
If you're still not buying her brand, a thought that will certainly come as a reassurance: you are not obligated to. There isn't national service in this country, and were it to return, it would be unlikely to include watching With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, however, you choose to watch and are overcome with envy about her idyllic Christmas, all is not lost either. Be you a royal or a office worker, hardly any child fully understands the effort and hard work their mother expends in December. So you can find comfort by envisioning Archie and Lilibet's faces when they open a beautifully scripted letter that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a homemade Advent calendar, rather than a chocolate.
